west seneca answers the call to arms residents in world war ii photos/g military service...
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GAISER
H.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GALA
EDWARD
ARMY - AIR FORCE PVT
B.T.C. #10 (BASTIC TRAINING CENTER), GROUP 1181, BARRACKS 668
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Lindley Air Field - Greensboro, North Carolina - Lindley was part of the Army Air Force Training Command and
served as a training center for aviation pilots
Miscelleaneous:
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GALLAGHER
JOSEPH P.
ARMY S/SGT
44TH DIVISION
Name:
Address: BROOKSIDE DRIVE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Phillips, Kansas - Camp Phillips was established in the latter part of 1942, and was named in honor of
Colonel William A. Phillips, one of the co-founders of the city of Salina, Kansas / The post was used as a training
center and P.O.W. Camp until its closing in the fall of 1945
Miscelleaneous:
Staff Sergeant
100
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GALLEY
RICHARD J.
NAVY S. 1/C
N.A.T.T.C. (NAVAL AIR TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER)
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address: UNION ROAD
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Norman, Oklahoma - Naval based trained in Advanced Aviation, Combat Aircrewman Training and Aviation
Metalsmiths
Miscelleaneous:
The Naval Air Technical Training Center provided highly classified airborne electronics maintenance training
(Radar, sonar, and other types of electronic systems) for many thousands of Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and
Royal Air Force personnel
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
Seaman First-Class
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
2244
C.A.S.U. 53 (CARRIER AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GARLAND
CLARENCE W.
ARMY - AIR FORCE PVT
146TH A.A.F. BASE UNIT
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Selfridge Field, Michigan - Located in Harrison Township, Michigan / Selfridge Field was one of thirty-two Air
Service training camps established after the United States entry into World War I in April 1917 / On 29 March
1943, the 332d Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen completed its move to Selfridge / The commander of the
Tuskegee's European and Mediterranean operations was Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the first black officer to
graduate from West Point in the 20th century, and later the first black Air Force general / The 477th Composite
Group was formed at Selfridge on 15 January 1944 to train Tuskegee Airmen with Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
fighters and North American B-25 Mitchell bombers
Miscelleaneous:
3085
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GARLAND
KENNETH
ARMY PVT
BATTERY "C", 11TH BATTALION
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Fort Bragg, North Carolina - In 1918, Congress established Camp Bragg, an Army field artillery site named for the
Confederate General Braxton Bragg / Camp Bragg became a permanent Army post renamed Fort Bragg / Various
units trained at Fort Bragg during World War II, including the 9th Infantry Division, 2nd Armored Division, 82nd
Airborne Division, 100th Infantry Division, and various field artillery groups
Miscelleaneous:
3085
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GARLAND
LINWOOD A.
MARINE CORPS SGT
SQUADRON 24 M.A.G. (MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP), 1ST M.A.W. (MARINE AIR WING)
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The mission of the Marine Air Wing was to conduct air operations in support of the Marine forces which
included offensive air support, anti air warfare, assault support and aerial reconnaissance
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
3085
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GARLINGER
E. A.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GARRISON
PHILIP B.
ARMY - AIR FORCE SGT
6TH ENGINE OVERHAUL SQUADRON
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Kelly Field, Texas - Located outside of San Antonio, the Field was named in honor of 2d Lieutenant George
Edward Maurice Kelly who died during a training run / Between January 1939 and March 1943, over 6,800 men
graduated from Kelly's Advanced Flying School and approximately 1,700 additional pilots graduated from various
other courses in the Instructor's School / Mission of base turned to overhauling, repairing and modifying
thousands of Army aircraft, including B-17s, B-25s, B-29s, P-51s, and the C-47 cargo plane
Miscelleaneous:
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GARRISON
ROBERT G.
ARMY SGT
24TH HEADQUARTERS, 2ND ARMY
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Shelby, Mississippi - Camp Shelby was established in 1917 and named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Indian
fighter, Revolutionary War hero and 1st Governor of Kentucky / Camp also served as a holding center for
German Prisoners-of-War
Miscelleaneous:
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GARWOOD
ROBERT P.
ARMY PVT
COMPANY "B", 339TH INFANTRY, 85TH (CUSTER) DIVISION
EUROPEAN THEATER / NORTH AFRICAN THEATER
Name:
Address: BAYBERRY AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The German S-mine (Schrapnellmine, Springmine or Splittermine in German), also known as the "Bouncing
Betty", is the best-known version of a class of mines known as bounding mines. When triggered, these mines
launch into the air and then detonate at about 2 ft 11 in. The explosion projects a lethal spray of shrapnel in all
directions. The S-mine was an anti-personnel landmine developed by Germany in the 1930s and used extensively
by German forces during World War II. It was designed to be used in open areas against unshielded infantry.
SS John Clark (Hull #1458) was a Liberty ship used to transport troops / On January 11, 1942, the SS Cristobal
was requisitioned for military use in World War II, serving first as a troop carrier and later transporting war
brides, children and wounded soldiers stateside
There were over sixteen hundred Liberty ships built by eighteen shipbuilders and twenty engine makers, under
eighteen U.S. Navy classifications. These classifications included cargo, troop-carrying, hospital, general stores,
technical and scientific research, aircraft repair and supply, aircraft ferry, radar station ship, miscellaneous
auxiliary ships, experimental minesweepers, radar picket ships, and distilling ships
Private Robert Garwood was wounded in the leg by an S-Mine (also known as "Bouncing Betty") in May 1944
during action in the village of Minturno, Italy during the Italian Campaign / Private Garwood earned a Battle Star
for combat duty during the Rome-Arno campaign
Embarked for the combat zone aboard the SS John Clarke and returned to the United States on the SS Cristobal
PURPLE HEART
22
1 BATTLE STAR
E.A.M.E. RIBBON WITH ONE STAR COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL SHARPSHOOTER
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
The Purple Heart was instituted in 1782 by George Washington and is the first and oldest military American
decoration. The Purple Heart is awarded to military service members wounded or killed in action, in the latter
case posthumously
Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat
under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action
The Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces Soldiers in the rank of Colonel and
below, who personally fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of an infantry, Ranger or
Special Forces unit, of brigade size or smaller, any time after 6 December 1941
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War. Bronze service stars were awarded to all services for participation in
designated campaigns
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. The Navy Good
Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the
Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963. The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted
member of the United States military who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful
service". Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment,
disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (EAME) is a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 to recognize those military service members who had
performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years
of the Second World War
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GATES
ROBERT B.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GATTIE
CLARENCE A.
ARMY - AIR FORCE PFC
22ND PORT SURGICAL HOSPITAL, 5TH AIR FORCE
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
In the years from June 30, 1943 to June 30, 1945 the Medical Department trained 189 General Hospitals, 74
Field Hospitals and 61 Station Hospitals for overseas service. In 1945, when the peak of overseas shipments
occurred, the War Department sent 81 General, 35 Field, and 8 Station Hospitals to the various Theaters of
Operations (European, African and Asiatic-Pacific). By May 1945, when the peak in Hospital beds overseas was
reached, there were 335,000 fixed beds and about 87,000 mobile beds in all Theaters
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GATTIE
WALTER E.
ARMY PVT
COMPANY "E", ARMORED
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GEBHARD
G.
NAVY
V-12 SCHOOL
Name:
Address: CLINTON STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The purpose of the V-12 program was to grant bachelor's degrees to future officers drawn from both the U.S.
Navy and the Marine Corps. Once they completed their baccalaureate program, the next step toward obtaining
a Navy commission was to attend a U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School where the future officer was
required to complete the V-7 program, a short course of four months, including one month spent in
indoctrination school. Graduates from the midshipmen schools were commissioned as ensigns in the U.S. Naval
Reserve and the majority entered into active duty with the U.S. fleet / The V-12 Navy College Training Program
was initiated in 1943 to meet both the immediate and long-range needs for commissioned officers to man ships,
fly planes and command troops called to duty in World War II
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GEIER
CARL J.
NAVY
Name:
Address: CLINTON STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miami, Florida - Naval Air Station was commissioned in 1940
Miscelleaneous:
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GENDRON
HAROLD R.
NAVY R.M. 2/C
MOBILE COMMUNICATION, UNIT 6, 7TH FLEET (FLAGSHIP)
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
Radioman Second-Class
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GERLACH
RONALD E
ARMY CAPT.
102ND A.A. ( ANTI-AIRCRAFT) BATTALION
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
With much of World War II fought in the air, anti-aircraft weapons were weapons that could specifically direct
their offense against air targets / The mission of the Anti-Aircraft units were to detect hostile aircraft and
destroy them / Radar aided antiaircraft gunners by providing accurate information about the range, speed, and
altitude of incoming enemy planes
The Purple Heart was instituted in 1782 by George Washington and is the first and oldest military American
decoration. The Purple Heart is awarded to military service members wounded or killed in action, in the latter
case posthumously
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
The Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces Soldiers in the rank of Colonel and
below, who personally fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of an infantry, Ranger or
Special Forces unit, of brigade size or smaller, any time after 6 December 1941
Captain Ronald Gerlach joined the 102nd anti-aircraft battalion in December 1940 and went overseas in
February 1942. Gerlach was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain in an infantry regiment in the Pacific
and graduated from Officer School in Australia in April 1943. Captain Gerlach was awarded the Combat Infantry
Badge and the Purple Heart, from wounds he received in action
PURPLE HEART MEDAL ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GERMAIN
CHESTER G.
MARINE CORPS PFC
BUREAU OF SUPPLIES AND ACCOUNTS, NAVY DEPOT
Name:
Address: BURCH AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Cleveland, Ohio
Miscelleaneous:
87
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GERMAIN
KENNETH W.
ARMY PVT
SERVICE BATTERY, 898TH F.A. BATTALION (FIELD ARTILLERY)
Name:
Address: WESTMINSTER ROAD
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky - 250,000 soldiers trained at Camp Breckenridge during World War II / Camp also
served as a Prisoner-of-War camp, where 3,500 German prisoners were housed
Miscelleaneous:
The Field Artillery is the branch of the army whose mission is to support the infantry by artillery fire, destroying,
neutralizing or suppressing the enemy elements that threaten land forces / Increased mobility; fire direction
centers, which enhanced their firepower; aerial observation; and radio communications increased the efficiency
and accuracy to support ground forces
56
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GICK
C. G.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GICK
HAROLD W.
ARMY CPL
BATTERY "B", 133RD A.A.A. GUN BATTALION (ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY)
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: WICHITA ROAD
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
With much of World War II fought in the air, anti-aircraft weapons were weapons that could specifically direct
their offense against air targets / The mission of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery units were to detect hostile aircraft
and destroy them / Radar aided antiaircraft gunners by providing accurate information about the range, speed,
and altitude of incoming enemy planes
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
Corporal Harold Gick was stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
36
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GICK
RICHARD
ARMY M/SGT
COMPANY "A", 6TH GENERAL HOSPITAL
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: GARDEN AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
In the years from June 30, 1943 to June 30, 1945 the Medical Department trained 189 General Hospitals, 74
Field Hospitals and 61 Station Hospitals for overseas service. In 1945, when the peak of overseas shipments
occurred, the War Department sent 81 General, 35 Field, and 8 Station Hospitals to the various Theaters of
Operations (European, African and Asiatic-Pacific). By May 1945, when the peak in Hospital beds overseas was
reached, there were 335,000 fixed beds and about 87,000 mobile beds in all Theaters
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GIESE
E. J.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GIFFORD
JACK K.
ARMY PFC
COMPANY "E", 534TH E.B. & S.R. (ENGINEER BOAT & SHORE REGIMENT)
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address: AVENUE B
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The 534th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, a unit of the 4th Engineer Special (Amphibian) Brigade was
activated on February 1,1943, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts / The 4th ESB arrived in New Guinea on May
18,1944, and participated in the assaults on Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies (15 September 1944) and
Lingayen Gulf, Luzon (9 January 1945) / The brigade was inactivated in Japan on 15 April 1946
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
18
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GILCHRIST
WILLIAM
ARMY PVT
BATTERY "D", 517TH A.A.A. GUN BATTERY (ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY)
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Davis, North Carolina - Camp Davis was built by the United States Army as an anti-aircraft artillery training
facility and was manned by about 20,000 officers and men
Miscelleaneous:
With much of World War II fought in the air, anti-aircraft weapons were weapons that could specifically direct
their offense against air targets / The mission of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery units were to detect hostile aircraft
and destroy them / Radar aided antiaircraft gunners by providing accurate information about the range, speed,
and altitude of incoming enemy planes
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GILL
ANTHONY
ARMY PVT
HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 331ST INFANTRY
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Anthony Gill attended Ebenezer High School three years prior to enlisting in the Army
Infantry refers to soldiers moving and fighting on foot, armed with hand weapons such as rifles, machine guns,
grenades, mortars, etc.
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
Private Anthony Gill was wounded in action on 3 March 1944 during fighting in Germany
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
3618
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GILL
JOHN
NAVY S. 2/C
USS GUAM (CB-2), 6TH FLEET
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Sampson, New York - In the three-and-a-half years of its operation during World War II, the Sampson Naval
Training Station trained 411,429 naval recruits before closing in 1946 / The camp was named in honor of a local
Seneca County native, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, from Palmyra, NY, a hero of the Battle of Santiago
during the Spanish-American War
Miscelleaneous:
USS Guam (CB-2) was an Alaska-class large cruiser named for the island of Guam / The USS Guam participated in
operations off Okinawa in March–July 1945, including providing anti-aircraft defense for the carrier task force
and conducting limited shore bombardment operations / Commissioned 17 September 1944 and
decommissioned 17 February 1947
Naval Training Centers introduced recruits to “boot camp” training and indoctrination / The recruits were given
a battery of tests to determine their educational and skill levels, then trained in indoctrination, ordnance and
gunnery, seamanship, fire fighting, physical training, military drill and shipboard duties
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
Seaman Second-Class
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
3618
U.S.N.T.C. (UNITED STATES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GILL
JOSEPH F.
ARMY SGT
U.S. CLAIMS SERVICE, HEADQUARTERS P.B.S.
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
Sergeant Joseph Gill served in Italy
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
3618
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Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GILMOUR
EDWARD A.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
Edward A. Gilmour was Killed in Action
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GITCHELL
ED
ARMY SGT
POST HEADQUARTERS, 1253RD RD., S.C.S.U.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Upton- Long Island, New York - Camp Upton was an Army installation located on Long Island, New York
and named after Emory Upton, a Union general of the Civil War and was created in 1917 to house and train
soldiers / Camp Upton became the site of the Recruit Educational Center, an Army program that enrolled
foreign-born, non-English speaking, and illiterate soldiers / Soldiers who graduated were eligible for a three year
term of military service, after which they could be naturalized as American citizens
Miscelleaneous:
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GITCHELL
GEORGE
NAVY S. 2/C
B 23, U.S.N.T.C. (UNITED STATES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER)
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Sampson, New York - In the three-and-a-half years of its operation during World War II, the Sampson Naval
Training Station trained 411,429 naval recruits before closing in 1946 / The camp was named in honor of a local
Seneca County native, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, from Palmyra, NY, a hero of the Battle of Santiago
during the Spanish-American War
Miscelleaneous:
Naval Training Centers introduced recruits to “boot camp” training and indoctrination / The recruits were given
a battery of tests to determine their educational and skill levels, then trained in indoctrination, ordnance and
gunnery, seamanship, fire fighting, physical training, military drill and shipboard duties
Seaman Second-Class
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GLAGOLICH
GEORGE
ARMY - AIR FORCE PFC
36TH PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
During World War II, the36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron operated primarily in the Southwest
Pacific Theater, providing aerial reconnaissance and intelligence information over a wide area of the theater in
numerous campaigns / In 1945, the squadron performed reconnaissance missions over Formosa as well as the
Philippines / The squadron earned the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its combat operations during the
Liberation of the Philippines in 1944–1945
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GLASER
WILLIAM C.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GLEED
G.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GLEISNER
ROBERT W.
NAVY S 1/C
USS WILLMARTH (DE-638)
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address: HARLEM ROAD
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The USS Willmarth was a Buckley-class destroyer escort named in honor of Ensign Kenneth Willmarth (1914-
1942), who was killed in action when the cruiser Vincennes was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August
1942 / The Willmarth participated in the liberation of the Philippine and Okinawa Islands / Commissioned on 13
March 1944 and decommissioned on 26 April 1946
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
Seaman First-Class Robert Gleisner entered the Navy on 3 August 1943
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
148
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GOETZ
EDWIN C.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GOMEZAK
HENRY A.
ARMY PVT
COMPANY "F", 30TH INFANTRY
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Infantry refers to soldiers moving and fighting on foot, armed with hand weapons such as rifles, machine guns,
grenades, mortars, etc.
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GORSKI
ANTHONY E.
ARMY PFC
COMPANY "A", 23RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 2ND DIVISION
EUROPEAN THEATER / NORTH AFRICA THEATER
Name:
Address: STANTON STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Anthony Gorski entered the Army in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1945 / After his service, Gorski
worked on the assembly line at General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant for 40 years until his retirement. /
Anthony Gorski was a former president of Local 774 UAW Union and also helped develop the Riverside Credit
Union / Gorski was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Hank Nowak AMVETS Post 45 /
Anthony E. Gorski passed away on November 11, 2016 at the age of 92 years
Infantry refers to soldiers moving and fighting on foot, armed with hand weapons such as rifles, machine guns,
grenades, mortars, etc.
Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat
under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
Private First-Class Anthony E. Gorski served in Europe where he was a mortar gunner, cook and military
policeman
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL
85
3 BATTLE STARS
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
throughout the entire Second World War
The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon referred to as the “Victory Ribbon.” By 1946,
a full medal had been established which was referred to as the World War II Victory Medal. The medal
commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military,
including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty,
or as a reservist, between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946
The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the United
States Armed Forces for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941
The Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces Soldiers in the rank of Colonel and
below, who personally fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of an infantry, Ranger or
Special Forces unit, of brigade size or smaller, any time after 6 December 1941
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. The Navy Good
Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the
Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963. The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted
member of the United States military who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful
service". Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment,
disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GOTTLIEB
EDWARD H.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GOULD
GERARD G.
ARMY CPL
1260TH S.C.S.U. P.R.P. - SUPPLY
Name:
Address: DIRKSON AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Fort Dix, New Jersey - Unit was part of the United States Army that trained soldiers on how to feed troops during
wartime
Miscelleaneous:
113
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRABENSTATTER
DONALD H.
NAVY S. 2/C
RECEIVING STATION
Name:
Address: INDIAN CHURCH ROAD
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Brooklyn, New York - During World War II, the Brooklyn Navy Yard played a pivotal role in the American war
effort building battleships and aircraft carriers, repairing over 5,000 ships, and shipped troops and supplies to
fronts across the globe
Miscelleaneous:
Seaman Second-Class
1300
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRABENSTATTER
HARRY L.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRACE
ANTHONY
ARMY SGT
HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 822ND A.A.A. (ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY), A.W. BATTALION (AIR
WARNING)
Name:
Address: COLLINS AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Haan, California - Camp Haan was opened in January 1941 / In March 1942 Camp Haan was reorganized as
an Army Service Depot and in late 1942 a prisoner of war camp was built for 1,200 Italian Prisoners of War / In
April 1945, German POWs arrived at Haan to replace the Italians / Camp Haan had an 800-bed debarkation
hospital which received wounded coming in from the Pacific theaters of operation / Camp Haan, at its peak, had
a population of 80,000
Miscelleaneous:
With much of World War II fought in the air, anti-aircraft weapons were weapons that could specifically direct
their offense against air targets / The mission of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery units were to detect hostile aircraft
and destroy them / Radar aided antiaircraft gunners by providing accurate information about the range, speed,
and altitude of incoming enemy planes
422
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRADL
ROBERT A.
ARMY CPL
COMPANY "B", 861ST AMERICAN ENGINEERING BATTALION
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Engineering Battalions performed many engineering tasks, including demolitions, obstacle emplacement,
fortification, and light bridge building / Engineer general service regiments and battalions performed
construction, repair, and maintenance duties of all kinds behind the front lines / When needed, combat
engineers also could act as infantry
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRAEBER
EUGENE W.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRAHAM
ROBERT H.
ARMY - AIR FORCE SGT
372ND BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The 372nd Bombardment Squadron was formed as a heavy bombardment group in January 1942, trained in the
Pacific Northwest under Second Air Force, with B-17 Flying Fortresses. Reassigned to Seventh Air Force in
Hawaii, November 1942 and performed performing search and rescue and antisubmarine patrols until January
1943 while transitioning to long-range B-24 Liberator heavy bombers / Deployed to the Central Pacific from
Hawaii throughout 1943 for long-range combat bombardment operations against Japanese forces in the Central
Pacific; New Guinea; Northern Solomon Islands and Eastern Mandates campaigns / Deployed to the New
Hebrides in Melanesia and operated from numerous temporary jungle airfields, engaging in long-range
bombardment operations during the Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon and Southern
Philippines campaigns until the end of the war in August 1945
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRASSL
JOSEPH
NAVY S 1/C
USS LST 662 (LANDING SHIP, TANK)
PACIFIC THEATER
Name:
Address: ORCHARD PARK ROAD
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
USS LST-622 was a tank landing ship assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the Lingayen Gulf
landing, January 1945, and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, from March through June 1945 / LST-
662 earned three battle stars / Commissioned 26 June 1944 and decommissioned 14 March 1946
Landing Ship, Tank (LST) is the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support
amphibious operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an
unimproved shore / From their combat debut in the Solomon Islands in June 1943 until the end of the hostilities
in August 1945, the LSTs performed a vital service in World War II. They participated in the invasions of Sicily
(Operation Husky), Italy, Normandy, and southern France in the European Theater and were an essential
element in the island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific that culminated in the liberation of the Philippines and
the capture of Iwo Jima and Okinawa
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States
Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON
1081
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Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GREASERT
LEROY
ARMY SGT
MILITARY POLICE
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: WINEGAR PLACE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The Military Police provides expertise in police, detainment and stability operations in order to enhance security
and enable mobility / In World War II, Military Police soldiers moved traffic along the Burma Road, supported
amphibious operations on Normandy beachheads, and managed enemy prisoners of war from Italy to the South
Pacific
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
Sergeant Leroy Greasert was stationed in England
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
23
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GREASERT
RUSSELL
ARMY CPL
1294TH Q.M. REPAIR COMPANY (QUARTERMASTER)
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: WINEGAR PLACE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
Corporal Russell Greasert was stationed in England
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
23
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GREATBATCH
WILSON
NAVY A.C.R.M.
C.A.S.U. (CARRIER AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT)
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Wilson Greatbatch attended West Seneca High School
After an Honorable Discharge, Wilson Greatbatch went to become an engineer and inventor. He held more than
350 patents and was a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Lemelson–MIT Prize
Wilson Greatbatch was the co-inventor of the first successful implanted pacemaker and in 1970, developed
corrosion-free lithium batteries to power pacemakers
Wilson Greatbatch died at the age of 92 on 27 September 2011.
A Carrier Aircraft Service Unit is a group of Naval Officers and enlisted men who are assigned to a Naval Air
Station or airfield. They were comprised of aviation machinist mates, ordnanceman, metalsmiths, electricians,
hospital corpsmen, cooks, bakers, and seaman who are not assigned to a squadron. Fighter, scout bomber or
torpedo squadrons that required replacements found then through the C.A.S.U.
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
Wilson Greatbatch was an Aviation Chief Radioman
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
2749
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
throughout the entire Second World War
GREGORY
L. C.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRIEM
LAWRENCE
ARMY PFC
COMPANY "I", 141ST INFANTRY
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: BURCH AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Infantry refers to soldiers moving and fighting on foot, armed with hand weapons such as rifles, machine guns,
grenades, mortars, etc.
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
55
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRIFFIN
JOHN M.
ARMY CPL
BATTERY "B", 28TH C.A. (COAST ARTILLERY)
Name:
Address: BURCH AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miami, Florida - From 1942 to 1945 Miami Beach played a significant role in WWII. Nearly 500,000 men,
including matinee-idol Clark Gable, took over 300 hotels and buildings for housing and training headquarters
under the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command. By the time the war ended, one-fourth of all Army Air
Force officers and one-fifth of the Air Corps' enlisted men had been trained in "the most beautiful boot camp in
America'' - Miami Beach
Miscelleaneous:
Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries
in coastal fortifications
170
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRIMMER
GEORGE J.
ARMY CPL
MEDICAL DETACHMENT, 1ST BATTALION ENGINEERING REGIMENT
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Engineering Battalions performed many engineering tasks, including demolitions, obstacle emplacement,
fortification, and light bridge building / Engineer general service regiments and battalions performed
construction, repair, and maintenance duties of all kinds behind the front lines / When needed, combat
engineers also could act as infantry
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GRISWOLD
GUY A.
NAVY F. 2/C
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Gulfport, Mississippi - On 2 June 1942, an Advanced Base Depot was established in Gulfport and the first
Seabees started coming through Gulfport / The mission of the Center changed from a receiving organization to a
U.S. Naval Training Center in March 1944, and provided for training in basic engineering, diesel, radioman,
quartermaster and electrician’s ratings.
Miscelleaneous:
Fireman Second-Class
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROELL
JOSEPH T.
ARMY S/SGT
BATTERY "B", 562ND A.A.A. BATTALION (ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY), A.W. (AIR WARNING)
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
With much of World War II fought in the air, anti-aircraft weapons were weapons that could specifically direct
their offense against air targets / The mission of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery units were to detect hostile aircraft
and destroy them / Radar aided antiaircraft gunners by providing accurate information about the range, speed,
and altitude of incoming enemy planes
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
Staff Sergeant
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROSS
ALFRED J.
ARMY CPL
BATTERY "E", 2ND C.A. BATTALION (COAST ARTILLERY)
Name:
Address: SENECA STREET
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Fort Story, Virginia - Originally known as Cape Henry Military Reservation, it was officially named on 24 July 1916
for Major General John P. Story, once an artillery commander at Fort Monroe / Coastal artillery batteries were
established around the fort to offer protection against hostile shipping entering the Chesapeake Bay
England General Hospital - Atlantic City, New Jersey
Miscelleaneous:
Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries
in coastal fortifications
3729
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROSS
ALOYSIUS P.
ARMY PFC
COMPANY "A", 315TH ENGINEERING BATTALION
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: FREEMONT AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Engineering Battalions performed many engineering tasks, including demolitions, obstacle emplacement,
fortification, and light bridge building / Engineer general service regiments and battalions performed
construction, repair, and maintenance duties of all kinds behind the front lines / When needed, combat
engineers also could act as infantry
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROSS
DAVID H.
PVT
COMPANY "A", 66TH BATTALION, 2ND PLATOON
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Wolters, Texas - Located northeast of Mineral Wells, Texas, Camp Wolters was opened in 1925 as a
National Guard training area under the guidance of General Jacob F. Wolters / During World War II, Camp
Wolters, was for a time, the largest infantry replacement training center in the United States / During the war
over 200,000 Infantry trainees cycled through Camp Wolters / The original buildings of "Old" Camp Wolters were
converted into a P.O.W. camp for German prisoners from North Africa
Miscelleaneous:
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROSS
FRANCIS J.
ARMY - AIR FORCE PFC
463RD SERVICE SQUADRON
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address: FLOHR AVENUE
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
27
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROTEVENT
WILLIAM F.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROTH
HOWARD
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROTKE
HOWARD G.
ARMY CPL
COMPANY "M", 28TH INFANTRY
EUROPEAN THEATER
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
Infantry refers to soldiers moving and fighting on foot, armed with hand weapons such as rifles, machine guns,
grenades, mortars, etc.
The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed
Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended
to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to
include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December
1941 and 2 March 1946. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon
throughout the entire Second World War
EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GROTKE
NORMAN
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GUGGISBURG
A. E.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GUGGISBURG
J. N.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GUINARD
LEONARD S.
ARMY PFC
STATION HOSPITAL
Name:
Address: HARLEM ROAD
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Camp Barkeley, Texas - Camp Barkeley was a large United States Army training installation located eleven miles
southwest of Abilene, Texas / The base was named after David B. Barkley, a Medal of Honor recipient during
World War I (a clerical error is believed to have caused the spelling discrepancy) / At its peak, in March 1945, the
POW camp housed 840 German prisoners / Camp Barkeley was officially closed in September 1945 and
dismantled
Miscelleaneous:
In the years from June 30, 1943 to June 30, 1945 the Medical Department trained 189 General Hospitals, 74
Field Hospitals and 61 Station Hospitals for overseas service. In 1945, when the peak of overseas shipments
occurred, the War Department sent 81 General, 35 Field, and 8 Station Hospitals to the various Theaters of
Operations (European, African and Asiatic-Pacific). By May 1945, when the peak in Hospital beds overseas was
reached, there were 335,000 fixed beds and about 87,000 mobile beds in all Theaters
24
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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms
Residents in World War II
Town of West Seneca, New York
GUNDLACH
ARTHUR E.
Name:
Address:
Service Branch: Rank:
Unit / Squadron:
Medals / Citations:
Theater of Operations / Assignment:
Service Notes:
Base Assignments:
Miscelleaneous:
(NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)
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